In the Philippines, a valid driver’s license from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) is required to operate a motor vehicle on public roads. However, not all LTO driver’s licenses are the same. Depending on the type and purpose of the vehicle you are driving, you need to have the appropriate license classification. For instance, if you want to drive for a living in this country, you need to obtain a valid LTO Professional Driver’s License.
This article will guide you through the steps of upgrading your LTO Non-Professional Driver’s License to an LTO Professional Driver’s License. You will also learn about the required documents and the applicable fees for this LTO transaction. Let’s get started.
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A professional driver’s license (PDL) is a legal document that grants the holder the right to operate a public vehicle in the Philippines. The Land Transportation Office (LTO) issues this license to eligible individuals who wish to earn a living by driving vehicles. Therefore, if you plan to drive a car, van, jeepney, motorcycle, or tricycle for hire or work as a company driver, you must have a professional driver’s license.
The process of applying for a professional license has become more rigorous than before, when a student permit was enough. You need to have a non-professional DL (NPDL) first before you can upgrade to a professional one. If your non-professional license has DL codes A or A1 (Restriction 1), you need to hold it for at least six months. However, if your NPDL has DL codes B, B1, or B2 (Restriction 2), you need to wait for at least a year before you can obtain a professional driver’s license.
So, who can apply for a professional driver’s license? To know if you are qualified, here are the qualifications you must meet before you can get a PDL from LTO:
Here are the documents you need to prepare before going to LTO:
Once you have all the required documents, visit the closest LTO District Office or Licensing Center to submit your application. Avoid going to the Driver’s License Renewal Office (DLRO) located in malls, as they do not handle this type of application.
Follow these steps to apply for your PDL:
If you do not have any demerits in your records, the LTO will give you a 10-year-validity driver’s license. The process may take up to 3 hours, depending on the number of applicants that day. Based on my experience with LTO, the least busy days are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. You may also find it less crowded if you visit the office after 1:00 PM. However, this may vary depending on your selected LTO branch. If they have a daily quota, it is advisable to arrive at the site as early as possible.
Here is the breakdown of the cost of getting a professional driver’s license from LTO:
FEE | AMOUNT |
---|---|
Medical Certificate | ₱600.00 |
Processing Fee | ₱100.00 |
Replacement Fee | ₱225.00 |
Exam Fee | ₱100.00 |
Change Classification Fee | ₱100.00 |
Computer Fee | ₱68.00 |
Total | ₱1,193.00 |
Here are the frequently asked questions about getting a professional driver’s license in the Philippines.
No. You do not need to take the practical driving course again, as you have already completed it when you applied for your non-professional driver’s license.
No. You only need to pass the written exam, unlike the NPDL application, which requires both the written exam and the practical driving test.
Yes and no. You are now eligible to drive these heavy vehicles, as long as you have the necessary DL codes on your license. To know more about adding DL Codes (restriction codes) to your license, please check out this post: How to Add DL Code
Yes. You can drive private vehicles using your PDL.
You will face a hefty fine of ₱3,000 and a demerit on your record.
Yes, you need a valid LTO Professional Driver’s License to qualify for these jobs.
A professional driver’s license is a prerequisite for any job that requires driving on public roads. However, the application process has changed, and it now takes longer and costs more to get one. Therefore, if you aspire to make driving a career in the future, you should get your NPDL as early as possible. You can easily upgrade your NPDL to a PDL at the LTO, as long as you meet all the requirements and pass the exam.
Hi ask lng po.. planning ko po mag upgrade to professional license ngayon 2024.. Ano pong Expiration ang lalabas sa license ko or ilang years ang validity nito, kasi po 2025 pa po mag eexpire ang license pero mag advance lng po ako this year to professional.? Reply
Pareho lang ng expiration ng non-pro license mo. ReplyRelated Question. Pwede ko bang pagsabayin yung Renewal ko at pag Upgrade to professional license ko? Reply
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